HOCKEY

Southland Times, Issue 21097, 31 May 1930, Page 18

HOCKEY

(By

“Half-Back”)

\ MEN’S HOCKEY

Representatives from the executive of the Southland Men’s Hockey Association were present at the Ladies Association meeting last Tuesday night when afranBements were finalized with reference to the grand one day carnival to be held today. The representatives offered their in any capacity in connection wi , fitting up of the stalls and both y afternoon and evening they were busy lending a hand in getting things in readiness for this morning. The Otago and Wellington Associations have forwarded challenges for the New Zealand Hockey Shield which is now held by Canterbury. The first match has been given to Otago, to be played not later th Mr J p n< L 2 Dawson, of Dunedin, has generously donated a handsome cup petition on Tuesday when the High Schoo Old Boys (Dunedin) will play a South! and team. Such visit will materially foster the game in these parts. The Southland team chosen is Rangatata, who meet the northerners at 3.15 p.m. when a fast exhibition of hockey should be provided. Men s hockey is showing a decided increase in popularity locally and, provided the weather is favourable, keen interest will be taken in the matches.

INDIAN ARMY HOCKEY

TEAM

INVITATION TO VISIT NEW ZEALAND.

At the recent meeting of the Management Committee .of the New Zealand Hockey Association the recommendation that an Indian Army team should be invited to tour New Zealand in 1931 or 1932 was discussed. Correspondence from the General Officer Commanding the Indian Army was read. One member said he thought that the team should be invited on the same terms as the last, which was steamer fare one way and travelling expenses while in New Zealand. It waa moved and seconded: “That an invitation be sent to the Com-mander-in-Chief in India (Field-Marshal Sir W. Bird wood) inviting him to send a team, representative of the Indian Army, to tour New Zealand during the season 1931 or 1932, on the same terms as in 1926.” The resolution was carried.

LADIES’ HOCKEY Union are sending a strong seven-a-sLc team to Gore on the King’s Birthday. The following will represent the club: C. Sparks, E. Hope, M. Woods, J. Ronald, E. Woodhead, M. Clark, A. Conley. Emergency, D. Hawke. Teams representing both Union and Collegiate clubs will make a trip to Gore on the King’s Birthday when they will compete in the Eastern District seven-a-side tournament to be held there. LADIES HOCKEY (SATURDAY.) Much interest was centred around the clash between Union and Collegiate last Saturday afternoon. These teams were running level at the top of the ladder and, as was anticipated, both sides were “all out” to give victory to their club. Unfortunately, following the heavy rain towards the latter part of the week, the ground at Queen’s Park was rather on the soft side but, this prejudicial fact notwithstanding, some good hockey was witnessed. On the whole, the first spell was distinctly disappointing far Union seemed, at times, to be like a ship without a rudder, but towards the half-time whistle their combination improved though the shooting of the forward division was not of the best. During the first half, Collegiate were strong on attack but, even then, the advantages gained were due more to individual efforts than to good combination. Collegiate, it must be remembered, had two young School players on each of the wings in the front rank division and, although they came out of the fray with honours, they lacked the experience of older players. Union gave glimpses of combination, but were inclined to wait for the ball to reach them instead of dashing in to tackle. This was a bad fault, on both sides for few, indeed, of the players followed up the play. It is time enough to take the game in an easy manner when one begins to pile up grey hairs. Collegiate were occasionally prominent with good short passing work, swinging into hard cross-hitting and fast following up methods which found the weak spots in the defence. Generally, however, the first spell was uninteresting, the play being too much of the lolly-scramble variety. At orange time, Union’s captain, Monica Woods, spoke a few' words of cheer in the pink ears of her mates, and it was decided that she should graduate to centre-forward in an endeavour to improve the shooting tactics. D. Cleine went back to centre-half. The second stanza saw some fast and interesting hockey with Union always in the ascendancy. Collegiate, with their victory of 4—-0 in the first half, became too confident and consequently were inclined to rest on their sticks. They rallied well in the dying stages, but,it was too late to then gain victory. Hard hitting by Collegiate lost opportunities while the speedy yellow forwards were not slow to seize upon all chances which came their way. Play was very determined just a few minutes before Referee Cordery decided to blow the final whistle but the game ended in a draw, 4 all.

COMMENTS ON PLAYERS

Collegiate.

During J. Winslow’s visit from Oamaru to her parental abode in this city, Collegiate swooped upon her for Saturday’s match, and the ex-Southland rep. lent her services as centre-forward for the Greens. She did not lose an opportunity to break through and was a great worker, though in the 'second half, she, together with the others of the Collegiate vanguard, were somewhat eclipsed and seldom had an opportunity to harass the defending halves. L. Baird, though nursing her tendency to get offside, did not get many opportunities for she was well watched by the opposing halves. This player would be well advised to remember she has not a roving commission on the field nor is. she taking part in the “visiting" set of the lancers. She has a fine burst of speed and has flashed into prominence like a meftor this season and, accordingly, she should strain every effort to watch her position if she hopes to catch the eye of the selector. Once she successfully masters this defect in her play, she should certainly be knocking at the door when rep. honours are handed out.

D. Gray, a young player from the primary school, gave a good account of herself as Collegiate’s right-winger and her centres were smartly got across.

C. Porter was sound as centre-half, her trickiness with the stick frequently troubling the Union forward rank. Her stopping and clearing gave Union few opportunities to break through.

If the K Cup tournament is held in th» north ' this season, then N. Thomas can forthwith get her sewing machine stitching a new maroon blouse for herself. She worked like a Trojan on Saturday in an endeavour to pen the hungry yellow attackers. She is a player who seems to live up to the old adage of attack being the best defence and repeatedly sent her vanguard on foraging expeditions. Of course she has valuable experience behind her play and that, alone, is an appreciable asset. J. Myers, is coming along nicely each game and feeds her forwards well. J. Burrell and M. Dawson as full-backs put in some strenuous work in the second spell and frequently saved awkward situations. , Union. D. Hawke, the Union custodian, gave a good (display and frequently sallied forth to the edge of the danger zone to clear likely attacks. E. Hope and C. Sparks were dependable full-backs though, in the first spell, some of the clearing hits were not too well directed. In the second act they worked with a will and frequently proved the stumbling blocks. The three halves, E. Insall, M. Woods and J. Ronald had plenty to do ail through. M. Woods is a useful player, for she is at home either ag centre-half or as centreforward. When she went into the vanguard after half-time, the front division were strengthened by the change. She can show a good pair of heels on attack and some of her dashes tied the defence into fruitless knots. But her main strength lies in her ability to top a dashing run with a telling hit at the citadel. This young player has the makings of a “crackerjack” and it would not afford one much surprise to hear, in the future, that she has been advised to have her suitcase in readiness for a rep. touring team. J. Ronald has shown promising form this season and gave a good account of herself in the clash. In the first half, the Collegiate forwards slashed the Union halves badly by the rapidity of their attacks but, after the first signs of demoralization had flitted away, the halves settled down to business and combined skill with good clearing. This player has gone ahead a ton compared with last season and, although she may not fall into the good graces of the selector this season, a rep. game is sure to come her way in the near future. She has all the makings of a first-class player and should go far in the game. E. Insall worked hard in her position and was always reliable. This young lady is improving each week and feeds her forwards well. The Union forward line were undoubtedly outclassed by their opponents during the first spell and very rarely had the opportunity to get going. This was not their own fault, for the most part, as with the defence behind them overwhelmed, they saw little of the ball. But, although speed and good combined play in the open, towards orange time, were there, the yellow quintet saw chances go begging. Again, they, at times, showed an inclination to always wait for the ball to be sent to them, instead of going back an 4 giving their overwhelmed halves assistance. When Monica Woods joined the happy gathering after half-time, they gave glimpses of what had been anticipated of them. D. Cleine went to the halfback line where she was very sound and it would be perhaps wise if she was assigned to that position in future matches.

Few chances came to E. Woodhead on the right-wing, but, in the second spell, she put in some good work and centred well across. On one occasion she used her head well, when A. Conley was dashing along on the opposite wing, by following up fast to receive a smart centre, but her shot just missed. This player has a good reserve of pace but, unfortunately, owing to her being starved almost throughout the game, she had little opportunity to demonstrate it. With a little more devil put into her play, this young lady should prove a powerful winger.

M. Clark, Union’s forward, effectively dealt with all play coming her way as did D. Insall. Both worked 'hard and tore into some of the melees like tigers. The ball chiefly courted the left-winger, however, so these inner players were not called upon overmuch in the game.

A. Conley, the left-winger, may have to leave off keeping house for father for a while in order to go north if a Southland rep. team journeys forth, for she has developed into a. promising winger who can always be relied upon to make the ball sit up and beg whenever it comes to her wing. She can travel like a wavering streak and her endeavours on Saturday were little less than brilliant. She shows refreshing keenness in following up fast,’ efforts which repeatedly bore fruit. If anything, she should practice her centring in play, for she seems a little sluggish in getting the ball cleanly to her inners. If she maintains her present form site will certainly knock hard at the door when the surprise rep. packets are handed out by Mr Surgenor. The Free Hit Push Shor. The following extract from the Hockey World, of October 1929, should be of decided interest:—“One important change which the women have effected this season is that it is legal at a free-hit either to push or hit the ball. I am sorry I have to join issue most strongly against this push shot business from a free hit. An exinternational lady player, who really ought to know better, actually suggested that a push shot could be made with greater precision and direction than an ordinary hit. A skilled international might be able to do so, but what about the common rank and file of players? A correct push shot is not so easy to make, and it requires a certain amount of skill to execute it correctly. I have seen really first-class men end women players sadly bungle the push shot, because they have rarely practised it. I have also seen players in an international match try it and “muff” it.

Northern District Tournament. The Northern District intends holding a seven-a-side ladies’ Hockey tournament on the Caledonian Grounds, Balfour, on Saturday, June 14, 1930. The seven-a-side tourney is open to all clubs affiliated to an association, and the first prizes are seven silver Cups. The runners-up will receive seven trophies. A Ladies’ consolation tournament will be open for teams which lose their games in the qualifying round* (First prize, seven trophies). Moreover, school players will be catered for, as a seven-a-side tourney will be open to teams from primary schools (prizes, seven trophies). The Schools’ tournament will start at 11 a.m. sharp and the Ladies’ tournament at 12 o'clock sharp. Entries close on Tuesday, June 9.

All byes will take" place in the first round, and each ladies’ team is guaranteed at least two games. Two spells of seven minutes each to be played, with one minute spell between. In the event of a draw, two three-minute spells will be played. In the event of there still being a draw, the teams to play from whatever position in the field they may be in until there is a score. No two teams from the same club will meet until the final. A refreshment booth will be provided on the grounds, while a dance will follow io l the evening.

K CUP TOURNAMENT

SOUTHLAND APPLIES FOR CONTROL.

At last Tuesday’s meeting of the executive of the Southland Ladies Hockey Associ- , ation considerable discussion took place on the question whether Southland should apply to the parent body for the control of the New Zealand Ladies’ Hockey Championship for the K. Cup this year. The chairman, Mr W. Hamilton, expressed the hope that the meeting would decide to put in an application, for the tournament to be controlled in these parts. He considered that it would help to further popularize the sport while it would strengthen the financial position of the local association. “I think we could run it quite as well as has been done elsewhere,” emphasised the speaker. Mr Hinton: Haye we sufficient backing?

■ 7 Mr P. Gilfedder: 1 think this association should put in an application for the tournament. Applications close in Wellington on May 31. , , Continuing. the speaker mentioned that there existed an understanding to the effect that the annual tournament would be held alternately in the North arid South Islands. In 1926 the tourney at Invercargill .had been the most successful in the Dominion up to that date. Prior to the holding of the tournament, the Southland executive was doubtful as to the financial result of the enterprise and, as a precaution, a bazaar was held from which a fund of some £253 was established. Howadded Mr Gilfedder, the tournament was such a success that it was found unnecessary to use any of such sum for the purposes of the 1926 tourney. On the contrary, there had been a net profit of £2ll, which sum the Southland Association divided amongst the touring teams in proportion to their travelling expenses, a percentage being also allotted to the Ne,w Zealand and Southland Associations. In 1927 the tournament was held in Palmerston North. Owing to the Association being then in a strong financial position, difficulty was experienced in obtaining assistance from the various clubs throughout Southland when it was decided to send a representative team on tour. Accordingly it was found necessary to use the bulk of the funds of the association for tournament purposes, chiefly to defray the cost of sending the team north. Unfortunately that tournament had not proved a success so that little or no refund came to Southland’s coffers. The 1928 tourney was held in Tirnaru, the financial arrangements for the tour being supported by the clubs through the province. Continuing, Mr Gilfedder said that when the question of the allocation of the 1929 tournament came before the New Zealand Association,' preference was given to Gisborne's claims on the ground that the Poverty Bay Association had had previous experience with the 1925 tourney and a financial success of the venture was assured. Such decision was warranted by the result. Last year’s tournament had been a huge success socially and financially. The receipts from the games in Gisborne amounted to over £6OO. Mr Gilfedder expressed his belief that Southland, forrified by the 1926 experience, could materially improve upon past tourneys. If the tournament was to be held in the South Island, it would be probable that recognition would be given to Southland’s application. The speaker referred to the possibilities of application from the Canterbury and Otago Associations and suggested that, in the event of either -of these bodies desiring the control of the 1930 tourney, Southland’s application could be withdrawn in their favour. In his opinion, there was no reason why Otago could not control a successful tournament. Mr Hinton: If we are going to run it and make a success of the venture, the tournament will be of great advantage to Southland in reviving the game here. After various opinions had been expressed, Mr Golden (Fortrose) moved that an application for the control of the championship should be forwarded to the parent body. Miss M. Woods seconded and the resolution was carried.

hockey in southland SCHOOLS

It seems improbable that, the local schools will be able to put hockey teams in the field. The authorities have been written to, but advise they cannot raise teams, basketball being all the vogue. This information caine to light at last Tuesday’s meeting of the executive of the Southland Ladies’ Hockey Association. Mr W. Hamilton, chairman, expressed the belief that if there were one or two enthusiasts in the school there should be no difficulty in getting a team together.

Miss E. Woodhead said she had no doubt that if a competition be started they would have no difficulty in getting a team together. It was recognized that if the association could assist financially,-the schools would respond well, but it was decided to hold the matter over in the meantime.